+ The Impact of Outside the Classroom

Activities on Academic Outcomes:

A Quantitative Study

Linear Regression Examining Six Involvement Predictors

on Academic Outcomes

Note. R2 = .110 (N=155, p < ?)

REFERENCESAmerican College Personnel Association. (1994). Student Learning Imperative. Retrieved from http://www.acpa.nche.edu/sli/sli.htm

Astin, A. W. (1999). Student involvement: A developmental theory for higher education. Journal of College Student Development, 40(5), 18-29. Retrieved from http://www.jcsdonline.org/ (Original work published 1984)

Kuh, G. D. (1996). Guiding principles for creating seamless learning environments for undergraduates. Journal of College Student Development, 37(2), 135-148. Retrieved from http://www.jcsdonline.org/

Literature ReviewAlexander Astin’s (1999) Theory of Student Involvement

• “The amount of physical and psychological energy that the student devotes to the academic experience” (p. 518).

• Astin (1999) explains, “the amount of student learning and personal development associated with any educational program is directly proportional to the quality and

quantity of student involvement in that program” (p. 519).

George Kuh’s (1996) Seamless Learning Environment

• Encourages students to “use their life experiences to make meaning of material introduced in classes…and to apply what they are learning in class to

their lives outside the classroom” (p. 136).

American College Personnel Association

• “The key to enhancing learning and personal development is not simply for faculty to teach more and better, but also to create conditions that motivate and

inspire students to devote time and energy to educationally purposeful activities, both inside and outside the classroom.”

Variable B SE B β t p

(Constant) 139.118 9.136 15.227 .000

Spiritual -.220 .466 -.045 -.472 .637 Intellectual .393 .457 .073 .862 .390

All Campus

Events

.109 .221 .056 .495 .621

Multicultural .507 .474 .108 1.069 .287

Leadership .278 .161 .156 1.726 .086 Wing/Hall

Events

.418 .487 .095 .858 .393

Implications for Future Research• This is the first time this research has been performed; as a new field, repeated research is essential to understanding these

relationships fully.

• A longitudinal study, paired with qualitative research, would be beneficial to further explore these relationships.

• By expanding the assessment of core outcomes, further knowledge can be gained about those factors that impact academic

outcomes abilities.

• While the r squared of the model showed limited predictive value, future research could illuminate the fact that this is an interpretable

predictive value.

• Much research today discusses the idea of student learning and student thriving; it is essential that we continue to explore every way

in which students can be engaging in their learning.

Natalie Berger, B.A.Taylor University

Research Question:What is the relationship between student

involvement in outside the classroom activities

and student ability in academic outcomes?

Methodology• Quantitative Correlational Research

• 155 Senior Students Participating in a Senior Seminar Course that was a General

Education course required of all seniors

Senior Seminar Essay Measuring Academic Outcomes Abilities

(Criterion Variable)

Students were asked to analyze a controversial topic, present their opinion, analyze

their own bias, and write at a senior college level.

Measured Two Outcomes:

Writing Proficiency

Critical Thinking

For analysis purposes, only the total essay score was used, as a factor

analysis showed there to be only one component measured.

Involvement Survey measuring out of class involvement (Predictor Variables)

Intellectual

student involvement in intellectually related activities that are not classroom based

Leadership

student involvement in leadership positions on campus, as well as activities related to those

activities

Spiritual

student involvement in spiritually related activities on campus

Athletic

student involvement in varsity and intramural athletics

Multicultural

student involvement in multicultural activities as well as study abroad opportunities

Residence Hall

student involvement within the residence halls

All Campus

student involvement in campus events available to any student